5 Ways to Revitalize Your Travel Plans

Photo by Gary Crow

Have you traveled so much that the dreaded sense of "been there done that" is seeping in? Are you looking for some new angle that can spice up your next trip. See if any of the following might spark some inspiration on a brand new way to look at travel.

Take up a new sport

Whether it's, kayaking, or hiking, starting a new activity that pairs travel with the fun is a sure way to get you traveling, and often in a different direction. Scuba diving is a great example of that. Initial lessons often take place near your home, under the supervision of a local instructor. Actual certification sometimes takes place in local water-- picture quarries and lakes.  Once you get your feet wet, so to speak, the itch to try your new skills in crystal-clear ocean waters is strong. It can give you the push you needed to book your dream trip to a tropical island. Spend some time on the blog hosted by certification organization PADI to find some inspiration.

Start a collection

If outdoor activities aren't your thing, try a collection. From stamps in your passport to postage stamps, a collection that involves travel is a perfect pairing. I met a man once that travels the Caribbean collecting rum. To each his own.

Travel with a purpose

Volunteering on a trip, even if only for a small project is a good way to get you excited about going somewhere. When you know that the trip serves a purpose, it is easier to feel good about going. And you might learn something in the process. Consider volunteering on an organic farm through Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms, or fish identification and counting on coral reefs through reef.org.

Invite a friend

Once you invite a friend on a trip, you are both committed. You begin to see the destination through a new set of eyes, both in the planning stages, and once you arrive. Your travel buddy may have a completely different set of travel goals that can ignite a fire in you for a spot you may never even thought of visiting.

Research on Airbnb or VRBO

These two sites make great reading, even if you plan to stay in a hotel. One reason is that the photos are usually not taken by professionals and they depict actual homes and neighborhoods in the destination. The host stories are often compelling reasons to visit a particular spot as well. They tell in their own words about how they discovered their piece of paradise, what made them fall in love with it, and why they want to share it with you.

Follow a travel blogger

The Internet is flooded with inspiring people who write about travel. Some make a living by blogging, others simply write for the joy of sharing their travels. Either way, the stories they tell, often about unassuming locations, are enough to get you off the couch and in front of the computer planning your next vacation. Here is a short list to get you started.
Two Monkeys Travel Group covers destinations enthusiastically as well as gives how-to-advice for other bloggers.

Goats on the Road have a blog filled with practical advice and stunning photos.

McCool Travel covers everything from scenic drives to travel celebrity interviews.

Points and Travel is like reading a glossy travel magazine filled with firsthand accounts of all the adventures you long to have.

To find a blog that speaks to your inner traveler and gets you motivated, try doing a search online for travel blogger but add your favorite destination or activity to narrow the list.